Poem Essay

Thesis Statements

The thesis statement is a concise, 1-2 sentence statement that is established early in the essay

(typically the last sentence of the intro), and ​encapsulates​ the main idea of the essay. The thesis statement contains 3 key components:

1. Topic: ​what you are writing about. This should be a theme or specific aspect of a work, and not the work itself.

2. Main Idea​: what are you saying or arguing about the topic. You may argue why the theme is significant, what the author seems to be suggesting about this theme, how this theme affects

the audience, or something else that is ​debatable​ in nature.

3. Breakdown​: how you plan on organizing your essay, previewing your body paragraphs or “sub-topics.”

Example:

In Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl,” the mother emphasizes the importance of domestic skills, social

appearance, and gender norms in order to live vicariously through her daughter. Despite the

mother’s best intentions, these instructions are selfish and strip the daughter of her identity and

independence.

1. Topic: vicarious living in “Girl.”

2. Main Idea: the mother is selfish and strips the girl of her identity (by living vicariously).

3. Breakdown: domestic skills, social appearance, and gender norms.

Tips:

Thesis statements are often the ​last sentence​ of the introduction. You do not have to place your thesis in this traditional spot, but it should appear early in your paper.

A thesis should be only one or two sentences long. Any longer, and your reader will have a hard

time finding your main point.

Avoid the first person (no “In my opinion” or “I will discuss”). The focus should be on your

topic, not on yourself.

An argumentative thesis should not be merely a fact or a summary. Focus instead on ​argument that ​uses​ facts to back up its opinion, perception, or judgment.

The thesis statement should not be a question, but rather an assertion that demands evidence.

Ask yourself if a reasonable person could disagree with your thesis statement or view your topic

in a different way. If not, it needs to be more contestable.

Activity

Identify the problem with the following thesis statements, then craft a better thesis statement

for each topic.

1. In the following essay, I will talk about insanity in “A Tell-Tale Heart.”

Problem:

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2. Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl” is a story about a mother and daughter where the mother gives

domestic, social, and gender advice.

Problem:

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3. How is “A Tell-Tale Heart” an example of the American gothic fiction?

Problem:

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4. “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid was written in 1978 and nowadays a woman’s role in society has

changed.

Problem:

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5. In “Girl,” there are dasheen, okra, and fried pumpkin fritters, which indicates this story takes

place in a Caribbean setting.

Problem:

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